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West Sedgemoor and Wick Moor Water Level Management Plan - Parrett Internal Drainage Board Approved November 2009

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West Sedgemoor and Wick Moor Water Level Management Plan - Parrett Internal Drainage Board Approved November 2009 West Sedgemoor and Wick Moor Water Level Management Plan - Parrett Internal Drainage Board Approved November 2009 West Sedgemoor and Wick Moor Water Level Management Plan Parrett Internal Drainage Board Approved November 2009 Contents 1. Approval of the Water Level Management Plan ........................................................... 3 2. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4 2.1. Purpose of the Plan .................................................................................................. 4 2.2. Plan area .................................................................................................................. 4 2.3. Responsibility for preparation and implementation of the Plan .................................. 5 2.4. Consultation and Plan approval ................................................................................ 5 3. Hydrology, watercourses and infrastructure ............................................................... 7 3.1. Topography and soils ................................................................................................ 7 3.2. Water supply ............................................................................................................. 7 3.3. Drainage ................................................................................................................... 7 3.4. Asset management systems ..................................................................................... 8 3.5. The strategic context for water management ............................................................ 9 3.5.1. Catchment Flood Management Plan .................................................................. 9 3.5.2. Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy ................................................... 9 3.5.3. Mid Parrett, Isle & Yeo Study ............................................................................ 10 3.5.4. Lower Parrett & Tone Flood Management Strategy .......................................... 10 3.5.5. Parrett and Tone Channel Monitoring Project ................................................... 10 3.6. Watercourses .......................................................................................................... 10 3.6.1. Main Rivers ...................................................................................................... 10 3.6.2. IDB watercourses ............................................................................................. 11 3.6.3. Private ditches .................................................................................................. 11 3.7. Structures ............................................................................................................... 14 3.7.1. Structures controlling inflows ............................................................................ 14 3.7.2. Structures controlling outflows .......................................................................... 14 3.7.3. Structures controlling water levels within the area ............................................ 14 3.7.4. Gauge boards .................................................................................................. 16 3.7.5. Water level telemetry ........................................................................................ 16 3.8. Abstraction and other hydrological management issues.......................................... 16 3.9. Water quality ........................................................................................................... 17 4. Agriculture and other land uses ................................................................................. 18 4.1. Agriculture............................................................................................................... 18 4.2. Built development, services and transport ............................................................... 18 4.3. Recreation .............................................................................................................. 19 4.4. Fisheries ................................................................................................................. 19 Page 1 of 45 West Sedgemoor and Wick Moor Water Level Management Plan - Parrett Internal Drainage Board Approved November 2009 5. Nature conservation and archaeology ....................................................................... 20 5.1. Nature conservation interests ................................................................................. 20 5.1.1. West Sedgemoor’s importance for water birds ................................................. 22 5.1.2. The importance of Raised Water Level Areas .................................................. 22 5.2. Biodiversity Action Plans ......................................................................................... 22 5.3. Conservation management ..................................................................................... 23 5.4. Archaeology ............................................................................................................ 23 6. Constraints and impacts on adjacent ground ........................................................... 25 6.1. Works adjacent to Main River ................................................................................. 25 6.2. Works adjacent to IDB rhynes ................................................................................. 25 7. Current water management practices ........................................................................ 25 7.1. Current water level management regime ................................................................ 25 7.1.1. Contingency measures for drought ................................................................... 26 7.1.2. Arterial system.................................................................................................. 26 7.1.3. Raised Water Level Areas ................................................................................ 28 7.2. Current flood management regime .......................................................................... 29 7.2.1. Contingency measures for flooding .................................................................. 29 7.3. Current watercourse maintenance regimes ............................................................. 30 7.3.1. Environment Agency maintenance practices .................................................... 30 7.3.2. Parrett IDB maintenance practices ................................................................... 31 8. Objectives for water level management in the future ................................................ 32 8.1. West Sedgemoor Water Level Management Plan Review 2007 ............................. 33 8.1.1. Issues identified by West Sedgemoor WLMP Review....................................... 33 9. Proposed water management practices..................................................................... 35 9.1. Proposed continuation of current good practice ...................................................... 35 9.2. Proposed changes to water control infrastructure ................................................... 36 9.3. Proposed changes to target water levels ................................................................ 38 9.4. Proposed changes to operational procedures and responsibilities .......................... 40 9.5. Proposed changes to maintenance practices .......................................................... 42 10. Unresolved matters ..................................................................................................... 44 11. Amendments agreed during the period of the Plan .................................................. 44 12. Review arrangements .................................................................................................. 44 13. Timetable of actions: West Sedgemoor and Wick Moor WLMP ............................... 45 Maps 1. Plan area 2. Arterial watercourses 3. Water control structures 4. Current areas with water levels held above or below normal pen levels 5. Nature conservation sites 6. Archaeological sites and features 7. Water management for favourable condition on West Sedgemoor SSSI 8. Flood zones within the Plan area 9. Location of proposed changes to structures and operations 10. Future areas with water levels held above or below normal pen levels 11. Hydrological block reference numbers Page 2 of 45 West Sedgemoor and Wick Moor Water Level Management Plan - Parrett Internal Drainage Board Approved November 2009 1. Approval of the Water Level Management Plan This Water Level Management Plan has been prepared by the Parrett Internal Drainage Board for the West Sedgemoor and Wick Moor area of the Drainage Board District. Contributions to the WLMP have been received from the Environment Agency, Natural England and others. Water Level Management Plan – General details Plan area West Sedgemoor and Wick Moor (Parrett IDB) SSSI(s) covered West Sedgemoor SSSI Region / Area Somerset Levels and Moors IDB Lead officer Philip Brewin, Ecologist Approval of the Water Level Management Plan “I agree with the proposals and actions set out in this Water Level Management Plan and confirm the Plan will help achieve favourable condition for the Sites of Special Scientific Interest covered by the Plan.” Position & Name Signature Date Organisation Chairman – Peter Maltby Parrett Drainage
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